From the SCI Blog

Orange Alert – AB 1254 (Kamlager-Dove) BOBCATS

Your Action Is Urgently Needed!

AB
1254 (Kamlager-Dove) Bobcats: take prohibition will
be heard in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee on Tuesday, July 9.

THE BILL WOULD BAN THE TAKE OF BOBCATS BY ANY
METHOD AT ANY TIME, EXCEPT UNDER VERY LIMITED CONDITIONS AS SPECIFIED IN ITS PROPOSED
CHANGES TO THE EXISTING DEPREDATION PERMIT AND HUNTING LAWS!

As
amended July 1, 2019,AB 1254would generally ban the take of bobcats statewide by any method at
any time!!

Bobcat hunting would only be allowed if the Fish and Game Commission
adopted regulations to open a bobcat
hunting season in a specifically defined area determined by the commission to
require a hunt, such as in the case of an over-population of bobcats or an
abnormally high rate of depredation.

THE FACTS:

The bill’s provisions are
NOT supported by wildlife management science.

State and federal
wildlife management authorities indicated prior to the enactment of AB 1213 in
2013 (the existing take restrictions), that the bobcat population was healthy
and not in danger of a decline from taking by hunters and others – They have
NOT stated otherwise to date.

This is simply an
emotional ANTI-HUNTING MEASURE that is not supported by scientific findings.

Further, this bill would
result in a loss of hunting license revenue and federal Pitman-Robertson funds
to the Department of Fish and Wildlife – these funds would need to be replaced
out of the State Budget or by an increase in hunting license fees, even though
hunting would not be allowed!

AB 1254 MUST Be Opposed!! If your Senator is a member of theSenate Natural Resources & Water Committee listed below, please contact him/her NOW!

Don’t know if your state senator is one of the committee
members listed above?